This past fall semester has been a different experience than that of my freshman year. While it has been challenging, I have continued to grow as a person and a student. This semester I changed my major from Biological Science to Mechanical Engineering. I realized I no longer had the drive for a future in the biology field, but I had a newfound interest in engineering. While this transition has been demanding, I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction into the field of engineering and look forward to my future as an engineer! This semester I also became a math tutor for Clemson’s Academic Success Center. I worked around eight hours a week tutoring Calculus One students. This has been a wonderful opportunity as I have built connections with my fellow peer leaders and with my students. It has also required me to improve upon my time management, leadership, and communication skills which will better prepare me for my future. I did not realize how much I would build a relationship with the students I have tutored. I would have many of the same people return each week and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them over the semester. I plan on tutoring again in the spring and I am excited to have this opportunity again. Overall, I have had an amazing fall semester and I am so grateful I have found where I am supposed to be at Clemson University. I have come back to campus more established and ready to tackle new obstacles and opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to live off campus with two of my closest friends. This has also been a few sources of responsibility, but I have enjoyed the freedom and ability to make my own food! All of this would not be possible without the MVYouth, so thank you for all that you do!

My first semester at Clemson went by in a blur. It was challenging and rewarding, yet it exceeded all of my expectations. This summer, my family and I moved from Martha’s Vineyard to Charleston, South Carolina a week after high school graduation. Shortly after, I moved into college a week earlier than most since I was going through the sorority recruitment process. I was able to meet many new people, including several from my dorm. I opted to live in a STEM community living center, which means everyone in my building is a STEM major. This has allowed me to meet new friends who share my same interest and work ethic. Immersing myself in this population has also broadened my knowledge of STEM majors and professions. There are many that have piqued my interest and I look forward to learning more about a variety of fields, including the medical and engineering field. Currently, my major is Biological Sciences. My workload this past semester was moderately heavy and challenging. The most challenging aspect was taking Chemistry and Biology simultaneously. From this experience, I have learned the importance of time management and strong study habits. While it was quite difficult, it was also extremely rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Clemson this fall, including being part of such a large and diverse community. Despite the large size of the campus and number of students, I have truly been able to feel at home at Clemson. I am looking forward to next semester, where I hope to get more involved in the community and explore more career paths and majors. All of these experiences would not be possible without the MVYouth Scholarship. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and the many things I have learned along the way. Thank you for the support and investment in my future.